Umesh Upadhyay: A Pioneering Force in Indian Journalism and Media Education

Umesh Upadhyay was an experienced Indian TV journalist, writer, and media leader. Some critics believe that his book “Western Media Narratives on India – Gandhi to Modi” reveals the questionable motives behind the foreign media’s negative portrayal of India., he was working as a freelance writer and an independent media consultant and analyst. Before this, he was the president and media director at Reliance Industries Limited, and he also served as the President of News at Network 18.

Early Life and Education

Umesh Upadhyay, born in Mathura in 1959, was a prominent Indian journalist who began his career in 1980. He quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the country’s well-known journalists, and played a significant role during the formative years of Indian television. Upadhyay was instrumental in shaping news coverage and programming strategies across several major networks and also contributed significantly to the public relations sector of large industries.

A Distinguished Career in Media and Education

• Upadhyay’s early life and career have been quite impressive. He has spent over 25 years working in media and education.
• He has held important positions like channel head at Janmat TV, executive producer and output editor for Zee News, and worked as a correspondent for Doordarshan.
• He also had a role as a sub-editor at Press Trust of India and worked at SAB TV. Before all this, he started his journey as a lecturer at Delhi University and has been a political analyst and commentator for All India Radio. Additionally, he is part of the Editors Guild of India.
• In the academic world, Upadhyay was the director of the Disha Education Society in Raipur, where he oversaw the Disha Group of Institutions.
• He was also named Pro Vice Chancellor of the soon-to-be-established Disha University. The Indian government recognized his expertise by nominating him to the Executive Council of the Indian Institute of Mass Communications. Furthermore, he served as a jury member for the Narad Jayanti Awards in New Delhi.
• Upadhyay is also an executive board member of the National Institute of Open Schools, which is the largest open schooling system globally and operates under the Indian government’s Ministry of Human Resources Development.
• He is involved in selecting a new Vice Chancellor for the Makhan Lal National University of Journalism and Mass Communication in Bhopal as part of the search committee.

Renowned for his commitment to promoting responsible journalism, Umesh Upadhyay dedicated much of his career to mentoring the next generation of journalists. He actively participated in various media education initiatives aimed at enhancing journalism standards in India. Throughout his career, his efforts in media education and guidance left a lasting impact on the field.

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Career Beginnings and Rise to Prominence

Umesh Upadhyay passed away on September 1, 2024. He was educated at Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). He worked as an independent journalist and author and was also known for his role as the former President and Media Director, contributing significantly to the field of journalism in India.

Upadhyay studied at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the University of Delhi. He completed his Master’s and M.Phil degrees at the School of International Studies at JNU and was part of the Academic Council at Delhi University. Additionally, he has received training from various prestigious institutions, including the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune, the Asian Institute for Broadcasting Development in Kuala Lumpur, BSkyB in London, Thames Studios in the UK, and CPC in Delhi.

He is a public speaker and knows a lot about media topics. Upadhyay has done a TED Talk that you can find on YouTube. He often shares his thoughts on important national and international issues.

A Sudden Loss to the Media Community

His unexpected death has shocked everyone in the media community. Reports say that while work was being done on his house, Upadhyay had a serious fall while trying to do some tasks. Even though he was quickly taken to the hospital, he sadly did not make it. Upadhyay had a huge impact on both television and digital media. With a career that lasted over forty years in television, print, radio, and online media, he played important roles in many major media companies. He was famous for his deep knowledge of the media world, his commitment to honest journalism, and his skill in adapting to changes in the industry. Upadhyay’s legacy will always be remembered.

Recognition for Lifelong Contributions

Upadhyay has received the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Award for his lifelong contributions to Journalism and Media. He is also part of several important groups, including the Management Committee and Executive Council at Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University for Mass Communication and Journalism in Bhopal. Additionally, he serves on the Advisory Council of the National Institute of Mass Communication and Journalism in Ahmedabad, is a member of the IIMC Society, and is involved with the Executive Council of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication in New Delhi. Lastly, he is on the Executive Board of the National Open School Society of India.